Chapter 261

Caroline's Point of View I sit cross-legged on Liam’s bed, a worn picture book open across my thighs. The nightlight by his headboard casts soft shadows on the wall—little stars and moons spinning slowly like they’re trying to lull the world to sleep. Liam lies beside me, his toy dinosaur tucked under one arm, the other playing with the edge of his blanket. His eyes blink slowly, heavy with sleep, but he’s fighting it—like always. He never lets the day go without squeezing out every last drop of energy. I run my hand through his curls as I read aloud, voice gentle and warm even though my mind keeps drifting. I don’t even know what page we’re on anymore. Something about a bear and a forest. My mouth moves, but my heart’s not in the story. It’s caught somewhere else—somewhere deeper, somewhere harder. Then Liam turns toward me, eyes wide and d

Last Updated : 2025-07-28

Chapter 262

Caroline’s Point of View It’s a slow day at the office, but everything inside me is wired tight—like my body’s waiting for something to go wrong even when nothing has. I haven’t touched my lunch. I keep glancing at the clock every five minutes like I’m expecting it to shift faster just because I need it to. Liam is sitting on the couch by the windows, legs swinging as he builds something out of paper clips and rubber bands. He brought a little backpack of toys with him, but now he’s using office supplies like they’re the coolest thing in the world. Every few seconds, he hums to himself, a sound that somehow grounds me and tears me apart at the same time. I told him Knoxx would come today. I don’t know why I did. Maybe I wanted to see that bright-eyed hope again. Maybe I wanted to believe in it too. Or maybe I just… needed it. Needed to see

Last Updated : 2025-07-29

Chapter 263

Caroline’s Point of View Time has a strange way of folding in on itself when I’m not paying attention. One minute, Knoxx is walking through my office door and Liam is jumping into his arms like he’s waited forever for that moment. The next… the sun is gone, and the windows reflect only our shadows. I glance at the clock and blink in disbelief. It’s past seven. Knoxx is still on the couch with Liam, helping him draw a superhero version of a dinosaur on the back of one of my monthly reports. There are crayon marks on my meeting notes and stickers on the armrest, and for some reason… I don’t mind. Liam yawns mid-laugh and rubs his stomach. “Mommy,” he mumbles dramatically. “I’m starving. My tummy sounds like a dragon.” Knoxx looks at me, grinning. “I think that’s code for dinne

Last Updated : 2025-07-30

Chapter 264

Caroline’s Point of View Knoxx pulls into the parking lot of Hill International, the headlights casting long, soft beams across the quiet pavement. It’s late—past dinner, past bedtime—but everything feels strangely suspended in warmth. Liam’s in the backseat humming, still sticky from dessert, holding his new paper airplane like it’s made of gold. I don’t want the night to end. Knoxx parks beside my car, and for a moment, we all just sit there. The silence between us isn’t heavy—it’s full of something else. Something good. Something almost like peace. “Thanks for dinner,” I say softly, turning to look at him. The overhead light makes his profile glow faintly—sharp jaw, tired eyes, lips that almost look like they want to say more. “Thanks for letting me be there,” he replies. “For him.

Last Updated : 2025-07-31

Chapter 265

Caroline’s Point of ViewThe second I lock the front door behind me, I want to cry.Liam runs ahead of me into the apartment, his tiny feet slapping against the floor, the sound echoing through the quiet like it’s trying to fill the space that’s already collapsing in my chest. He tosses his toy onto the couch and climbs up beside it, humming the same off-key tune he always does.I envy him for that.I stand in the hallway for a moment longer, hand still on the door, forehead leaning against the wood. The weight of tonight clings to my shoulders like a wet coat I can’t peel off. I don’t want to move. I don’t want to think. And I sure as hell don’t want to deal with the man who’s been calling me nonstop since we left the office parking lot.My phone vibrates again in my bag.I don’t need to look. I already know it’s Adrian.Again.I walk into the kitchen and toss my bag onto the counter, letting the strap dangle off the edge. The clinking of my keys against the marble makes me flinch. E

Last Updated : 2025-08-02

Chapter 266

Caroline’s Point of View When I open the door, my heart sinks before I even fully see him. Adrian. His frame fills the doorway like a shadow. There’s no softness to him today—no practiced smile, no patient tone. Just a hard stare and the unmistakable tension in his shoulders, the kind of tension that says this isn’t going to end quietly. He looks past me almost immediately. And God knows how much that look start to terrify me now. It feels like it will shake me every moment. I see his jaw tighten when he catches sight of the boxes stacked near the living room—half-packed, messy, real. Evidence I didn’t have time to hide. His eyes narrow, as if analyzing what is going on and then his eyes flick back to mine, and they’re darker now. Less human. “What is this?” he says, stepping forward.

Last Updated : 2025-08-03